Life preserver



Oct. 24, 1939. J D 2,177,442

LIFE PRESERVER Filed May 14, 1938 James 150M000 i ed W Y M Patented Oct. 24, 1939 may be compactly folded when not in use wherei by the same may occupy buta minimum of storagejspace.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. wherein a preferred embodimentof the principles of the invention-has been selected for exemplification.

- Figure l is a side elevational view of a life preserver as comprehended by the invention positioned upon the body" of the wearer.

Fig, 2 is avertical section of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

.Fig. 3 is a plan'viewjof an incompleted strap by means of which the device may be adjusted jandsecured to the body of the wearer.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the strap and buckle.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the buckle f illustrated in Fig. 4 taken along the line 5-5 thereof. 1 v

Fig. -6 is a view looking into the mouthpiece for inflating the device; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 'l1 of Fig. 6. Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like'parts, l represents the belt or body portion of the device v which may be formed of. heavy rubber tubing and devoid of seams if desired. Shoulder straps l2 "may likewise be formed of rubber and preferably are. constructed of a plurality of layers of rubber strips cemented or vulcanized together throughout the lengths thereof, except for the end portions, which may .be spread apart and joined, such as by vulcanization, one to the underside and the other-to the outside faces of the tubing Ill asindicated at M.

. The crotch strap I6 is provided at the bottom 7 of the tubular belt or body portion I0 and may be joined thereto in a manner similar to the Application May 14', 1

,tion whereby the tubular portion .JS' A E PATEN'TgoFFlCE LIFE mesmvim Buckhana", Reed, Sacramento, Calif.

93.8, seams. 208,047 I alola ms. (ow-in;

straps l2, as indicated at l9. As shown by the blank illustrated in Fig. 3, the strap l6 may be formedaofa single 'strip of rubber folded upon itself to provide the necessary durability. The free end of strap I6 is provided with opposed angularly arranged notches l8 to cooperate with a buckle 20 secured to the belt [0 by means of a strap 22, which strap may be secured to opposed inside and outside faces of the belt H], as best illustrated in Fig. 2. Although only one pair of notches i8 is illustrated, it is understood that a plurality of pairs may be provided to selectively cooperate with the buckle to effect the desired adjustability of the life preserver upon the body of the wearer.

It will be seen that the lower portion of the buckle 20 is of less width than the strap 16 except for the portions thereof extending between the inner extremities of opposed notches l8, and

that the bottom 2| of the buckle is forwardly bent to facilitate insertion of the strap and to provide offset shoulders to receive the notched portions of the strap whereby to securely anchor the strap against disengagement.

The strap and buckle arrangement and 20, which constitutes the sole fastening and/or adjusting means for the device and which displaces the awkward metallic buckles of prior devices, comprises an important feature of the invention and makes it possible for the wearer to quickly and surely secure the device in position.

Suitable means, indicated by the hose 23,

mouthpiece 24 and check valve 26, may be secured to the tubular belt H] in convenient posi- I0 may be readily inflated by the wearer. The members 23, 24 and 26 may each be formed of rubber and 1 the valve 26, which may be vulcanized to the hose 2 3, may be oblong in' shape and slightly larger than the inside diameter of the hose whereby to automatically check the air when the belt or body portion I0 is inflated,

It will be seenthat the device may be constructed entirely of rubber except for buckle 2|], which may be formed of light weight metal, although hard rubber will serve as well, so that the device is water resistant and capable of being compactly folded and stored in but a minimum of space. Devices embodying my invention may be manufactured in different sizes and in this event it may not be necessary to provide for adjustability in the quick latch fastening means.

Operation and use of the device is believed readily apparent from the illustrations and description thereof. The tubular belt portion I 0 may be passed over the head of the wearer and suspended from the shoulder by means of the straps l2 and then adjusted and secured to the body of the wearer by engaging opposed notches l8 of the crotch strap I6 with the portion 2| of the buckle 20. The device may be inflated either before or after its application to the body of the wearer and the disposition of the inflating tube 22 makes it possible for the wearer, to re-inflate the device asoften. asmight benecessary.

It is understood that the device herein illustrated and described is exemplary only of the principles of the invention and is capable of such modification as may be comprehended by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A life-preserver comprising an enlarged inflatable belt portion adapted to embrace the body of the wearer, straps to suspend said beltportion from the shoulders of the wearer, said straps being laminated and said' laminations being spaced apart at the longitudinal ends of the strap and. secured to opposed insideand outside faces of the belt portion, a laminated crotch strap also secured to the inside and outside faces of the belt portion and provided with a pair of opposed edge notches adjacent its free end, and a buckle carried by the said belt portion and having its free end forwardly offset whereby to provide a seat for reception of the. opposed notches of the' crotch strap.

2. A life'preserver comprising an enlarged ini flatable belt portion adapted to embrace the body of the wearer, straps to suspend said belt portion from the shoulders of the wearer.,,said straps 10' being laminatedand said laminations being spaced apart at the longitudinal ends of the j strap and secured to opposed inside and outside faces of the belt portion; alaminated crotch strap.

, also secured to the inside and outside faces of the belt portion and provided with a pair of opposed edge notches adjacent its free end, and a buckle secured? tothe'; front lower part of said belt portion and adapted to receive opposed notches of v the crotch strap.

' JAMESBUCKHANA REED.

mark Witnesses tomarkz- STELLA'CARTER', J. F. NEIDEFFER. 

